TN software achieved growth of 46% Barnala

Chennai, Jan 26 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala today said the state has achieved a growth of 46 per cent in software during 2006-2007.

In his address on AIR on the occasion of Republic day, he said the software exports to the tune of Rs 20,700 crore were achieved during 2006-2007.

''Tamil Nadu has always been the forerunner in development and it is also among the pioneering states, working with a mission for the uplift of the poor and downtrodden'', he added.

Mr Barnala said new industries, which were to be set up at a cost of Rs 11,000 crore, would provide employment to 1,20,000 workers.

He pointed out that more than one lakh families have benefitted under the distribution of reclaimed land to landless poor farmers and farm labourers.

Mr Barnala appreciated the state government's schemes like distribution of colour TV sets, gas stoves, land to the landless poor farmers and farm labourers, 20 kg rice at the rate of two rupees and distribution of land pattas to the poor living in govermnent waste lands.

''We are the heir to a great past and are bound to fulfill a historic mission of making India a developed nation soon'', he said, adding ''a nation's progress depends on the growth and development of its states''.